San Diego  A fugitive who dragged a U.S. deputy marshal in a stolen car in an attempt to flee was sentenced Friday to 29 years in prison.

Matthew Motsenbocker, 32, was found guilty of 13 charges by a jury last month, including assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, vehicle theft and illegally possessing a firearm.

Before handing down his sentence, San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Fraser called Motsenbocker “a very dangerous man” and a career criminal.

“As long as he is out in the public, there is a public safety problem,” Fraser said.

Motsenbocker had failed to appear in court on several open cases and had a warrant for his arrest when the U.S. Marshals Service went to arrest him on July 6, 2012.

Authorities watched him drive up in a stolen vehicle, then transfer into the passenger seat of his girlfriend’s car, taking a gun with him, said Deputy District Attorney Robert Eacret.

The deputy marshal pulled over the car, and Motsenbocker’s girlfriend got out and surrendered at the Interstate 805 off-ramp near Balboa Avenue. Motsenbocker then slid into the driver’s seat.

Fearing Motsenbocker was about to flee, Deputy Marshal Don Allie reached into the open window and tried to pull the keys from the ignition. Motsenbocker hit the gas and dragged Allie, who then pulled out his sidearm and shot and wounded the fugitive.

Allie suffered serious lasting injuries from being dragged, including daily headaches and having his olfactory nerves severed.

“I will never smell anything again,” Allie said Friday, addressing the court.

He described the effects of the incident as an “enormous personal cross” to bear.

“It has taken away my sense of humor,” Allie said.

Defense attorney Raymundo Pacello Jr. said Mostenbocker did not have a history of serious violent crime and was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident, causing his good judgment to be skewed.

“I never had any intention of hurting you,” Motsenbocker said to the deputy marshal. “It was a reaction. ... I’m not a violent guy.”

Motsenbocker asked to have his sentencing delayed, saying he was hoping to get back surgery in San Diego next month. He also needed time to handle the affairs of his mother, who was recently killed in Arkansas, he said. The judge denied his request, saying both of those issues can be handled in prison.